I perched on the edge of the desk and crossed my legs, poised like a lady, as if I weren’t nude and freshly fucked. “You’re late.”

“Am I?” He closed the door behind him, his mouth twitching in the shadow of a grin, begging to be kissed. “I arrived two hours before dawn. I gave Reynolds the orders to weigh since you were otherwise indisposed. And missing me terribly, I see.” His gaze drifted down my body. “Open your legs.”

Jade groaned and creaked with the roll of the waves. She was officially in motion, set on a course to my father’s treasure.

“You’ve been here for two hours?” I arched a brow. “What were—?”

“I have some demands in this arrangement.” He strolled toward me and flicked a finger in the direction of my cunt. “Open.”

Priest pulled on a pair of breeches from the armoire, his eyes alight with amusement. No help there.

Oh, blast it. I leaned back on my arms and spread my legs.

Ashley set the desk chair before me and lowered into it, reclining, his gaze on mine. “I sold my properties. All but one. The manor on the cliff, its tenants, staff, and land remain in my possession. I understand you wish to live on this ship, and I will remain at your side. But I require annual visits to England—all three of us—and so we shall call the manor our second home.”

I nodded, grinning, loving him with all my heart.

“What happened with your parents?” Priest sat on the bed, his back to the wall, and an arm dangling over a bent knee.

“They were so absorbed in what I was losing that they never asked what I was getting in exchange. They believe I’ve gone mad.”

“Perhaps, in time, they’ll miss you enough to ask,” I said.

“Maybe. Maybe not.” His expression showed neither sadness nor relief. This wasn’t a mask. He was genuinely indifferent about it. “Given the company I now keep, my answers would be lies anyway.” He set a hand on my thigh, his thumb absently stroking. “I ended the betrothal in person, and I daresay the young girl looked relieved. The Royal Navy, however, is a different matter. My superiors won’t know I deserted until they realized I’ve stopped reporting in.”

My pulse quickened at his somber tone. “Are you going to regret this?”

“What I’ve given up is a lot.” He gripped my waist with both hands and placed a kiss between my breasts. “What I’ve gained is precious. Inestimable. A value too great to measure.” He exchanged a fond look with Priest and returned to me. “Thank you for helping me understand that.”

My heart soared, and my mouth trembled. We stared at each other, and dear lord, there was so much love in that look. I felt full and warm with it, bursting at the seams.